Majority Inconvenienced by a Minority
Fire fighting, paramedic, medical and police services are all considered essential and thus under Ontario law subject to a rule that prevents them and other services deemed essential to the public’s well-being, from going on strike. They are permitted to accept a work-to-rule order but strikes are completely illegal because of their status as an essential service.
But guess what service should be considered essential but isn’t? Public transit.
This past Friday, at midnight the TTC went on strike with absolute zero warning. Yet the TTC’s union had promised on March 29 that they would give a 48 hour notice to the city and the commuters so that other arrangements could be made in advance of the looming strike.
The reasoning was due to the fact that last minute talks broke down. (Gee, like that’s the first time it’s ever happened in the entire history of humanity.) And hence, the many riders out on Friday night were left with limited means to get home, especially from the clubbing district. They were forced to take cabs and make other arrangements without any prior notice. (TTC strike leaves riders furious, frustrated)
Fortunately for us, the province is not letting the union have its way with the city; it’s refusing to hold the city hostage over talks that broke down. The province wasn’t ready to see a repeat of the 2002 garbage strike that held the city hostage under the foul stench of piled up, uncollected garbage.
The Premier decided to resurrect a 2002 back-to-work legislation (that ended the garbage strike), that required the backing of all parties, to vote the TTC back to work on Monday. The move had been announced on Saturday, stating that the vote was to take place on Sunday at 1pm.
For once, our overpaid under qualified politicians have done something for the good of the public and have ensured the safety of the city. A politician working on a Sunday is a rarity, but when it happens, you can bet they man business.
The vote consumed only 31 minutes and received the anticipated backing. Even the NDP had backed the bill, making the passage of the bill simply.
The bill is expected to receive royal ascent later and the TTC is back at work on Monday. Even if it is without a contract. Then again, who are they to cry? They are some of the best paid employees in the city. The average wage is $20/H plus benefits and more. You can bet your average minimum worker wouldn’t have baulked at the offer the union was given. It would have been eaten up without a second though.
The union has just become avaricious over the years. Their actions increasingly infantile and egocentric. Despite an increase to the funding received and the rise in the cost for bus fare, a metro pass and tickets, there is still not enough money to satiate the gluttony of this archfiend.
The next move the provincial government needs to do to send a strong message to this entity that believes it can wilfully hold the city hostage is to declare it an essential service, stripping it of its ability to sort to strike action.
Stumble It!
